Should bottom of baffle seal against container?

[danofpaco]

I'm just completing my first build, but my container (55 gal drum) is not a perfect cylinder. Should the larger-circumference part of the baffle be completely seated against the inside if the collection container? Or is it common for there to be some gaps?

Should I edge that part of the baffle with foam weather stripping or spend the time trying to sand to a perfect it?

Thanks, appreciate any guidance.

[phil (admin)]

The closer, the better, but it needn't be perfect.  How large a gap do you think you'd have?

[danofpaco]

The worst of the gap is probably less than an eight of an inch.

Thanks for the reply, and for all your work, Phil!

[phil (admin)]

That will work fine.

The reason we want that area blocked off is to prevent incoming air from pushing down and reanimating stuff in the bottom of the drum.  Also, it helps decouple the air mass above and below the baffle.  Small gaps like that won't effect overall performance.

[danofpaco]

Thank you, Phil!

[BernardNaish]

I have used foam weather strip in a similar application and found it easy to use and it works well.